Teeeitoey



(No Model.)

J. PARKHILL.

SLEIGH KNEE.

No. 331,537. Patehted Dec. 1, 1885'.

JOHN PARKHILL, OF BLUE LAKE, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

SLEIGH- -KNEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 331,537, dated December 1, 1885.

Application filed September 9, 1885. Serial No.1'76,603. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, JOHN PARKHILL, of Blue Lake, in the county of Day and Dakota Territory, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knees for Sleighs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in knees for sleighs; and it consists in, first, making the knee of a single piece of steel or iron, which is bent into the required shape; second, a combined knee, runner, and shoe, which is made from a single piece of metal, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is, first, to constructaknee from alight single piece of metal, which is bent into the required shape; and, second, to construct a knee, runner, and shoe all from a single piece of metal, whereby a cheap, strong, and simple sleigh -runner is produced.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the knee alone. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the knee, runner, and shoe combined in a single piece.

In making the knee A, I take a flat bar or plate of metal having the requisite strength, and bend this bar downward at B. On each side of the center the turned-clown portions 0 are twisted so that their ends D are turned outward at a right angle to the top of the knee, so as to extend along the top of the runner. This knee, whether constructed separately by itself or in connection with the other parts, as will be more fully described hereinafter, is very light, cheap, and strong, and much stronger and cheaper than a knee which is cast. This knee, constructed as above described, can be used where a knee made of a casting would be utterly impracticable. A cast knee is only practicable where a low sleigh is required, and where 'most of the strain is exerted in a downward manner and the side strain is Very light, owing to the shortleverage. As the knee is increased in height, the longer leverage increases the side strain, while the downward pressure remains the same. In high light sleighs, where the downward pressure is comparatively slight, and great strength is required to resist the side strain, a cast knee cannot be used on account of its heaviness and weakness. If made light in proportion to the balance of the sleigh, it is too weak for safety. Where the runner is to be made of iron, a bar of steel or any suitable metal with the requisite strength is taken and the knee is bent, as already described. Then the runner and the shoe are bent into shape, as shown in Fig. 2. In this manner it will be seen that the whole runner and its attachments are made in a single piece.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A sleigh-knee which is formed from a single piece of metal, which is bent at B, and has its vertical portions 0 twisted, so as to turn their ends out at a right angle to the top of the knee, substantially as shown.

2. A sleigh knee, runner, and shoe, which is formed from a single piece of metal, and which is bent at B, and has its vertical portions 0 twisted, so as to turn their ends outward, and thus form the runner and the shoe, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PAEKHILL.

YVitnesses:

G. T. OANFIELD, G. L. FARNHAM. 

